Traffic Jam Holds Up Drivers on Benin-Lagos Expressway for Three Hours

Motorists and passengers were stuck for over three hours on Sunday due to a traffic jam between Ovia Bridge and Okada Junction on the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

When PUNCH Metro checked the area, many big trucks were causing the blockage. Most drivers had left Benin very early to reach their destinations on time.

Some cars broke down during the traffic jam, and an accident on the road made things worse.

Drivers pointed fingers at impatience and the careless parking of vehicles by some drivers who chose to sleep by the roadside instead of continuing their trips.

They also highlighted the Okada area as a known trouble spot for traffic, especially near a bad section of road close to the Tipper Garage.

One driver, Akanni, shared his frustration about some colleagues not following the rules of the road.
“Imagine drivers parking by the roadside, sleeping and not waking up on time to continue their journey, thereby contributing to the gridlock,” he said.

Another driver, Chukwu, said he heard about a traffic jam near Ovia Bridge around 2am on Sunday, so he decided to sleep at a bypass near Oluku.

He was shocked to find another traffic jam after he passed through the Ovia Bridge area without any issues.

Chukwu blamed the situation on what he called the failure of the government and its agencies to enforce traffic rules, especially the Federal Road Safety Corps.

He also asked the Edo State Government to fix the damaged road near Okada to help cars and people move better.
“Everything boils down to the government. Their agencies must enforce the law, while the repair of the bad portion of the road should also be done,” he added.

After struggling through the traffic for about three hours, it was clear that impatience among drivers made things worse. Some drivers started to drive against traffic, which blocked the highway even more.

Preye Bedford, the Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, said his team often checks the area to keep traffic moving and avoid jams.

He urged drivers to be patient and follow traffic rules.
“Though my men are not permanently positioned in that axis, I do send them to that particular spot every two days. The men near Ofosu and other spots are always on alert in case there is a vehicle breakdown in the area.

“We usually deploy our men there once we are informed of an accident or vehicle breakdown along that axis to ensure that traffic flows. For now, we do not have personnel permanently stationed there. What I will advise is for people to be patient and obey traffic rules,” Bedford said.